Photo pillows

materials:

tools

• Color printer             
• Scanner             
• Sewing machine, iron, and a hard, non-porous surface (like a wooden cutting board).

fabric

• Two 21 x 21-inch fabric panels (solid or print) for the pillow front and back.             
• Nine 4-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch squares (white or light fabric) for photo images.
  
  Note: Only cotton and cotton/polyester blends can be used for iron-on transfers.

supplies

• 20 X 20-inch pillow form.            
• Iron-on T-shirt transfer paper. We used HP Iron-on T-Shirt Transfers. Be sure to read the instructions to ensure that this paper will work with your printer.            
• Fabric fixative and fabric adhesive.

other decorations

• Fabric for a ruffle, cording, tassels or other decorative edge.            
• Fun buttons, iron-on patches, fabric paints, beads, rhinestones, etc.

instructions:

importing your photos

1. After importing your photos into the PC, you can use photo-editing software like Microsoft® Picture It! to alter, enhance or resize them. To create a uniform patchwork design (like our example), you'll need to size your photos into a 4 x 4-inch square.
   

printing your images

1. Print your images onto the transfer paper (remember to reverse the image).

designing your pillow

1. Run a bead of fabric fixative along the edges of the small squares and allow to dry. This will keep the fabric from fraying (good for ribbon edges, too).            
2. Iron your transfer paper images onto the small fabric squares (we recommend testing the process first with an extra piece of fabric and printed transfer).            
3. Organize your design by placing the finished squares on top of the 21 x 21-inch front panel, keeping an approximately 1/4-inch space between the squares. Pin into place.            
4. Sew the squares onto the front panel, either by hand or with a sewing machine (a top stitch or zigzag works best).            
5. Place the back panel over your design, with the right sides facing each other (if you are using a decorative edge, it should be sandwiched inside the front and back panels). Pin everything into place.            
6. Using a straight stitch, sew a 1/4-inch seam around the entire edge of your pillow, leaving an 8- to 10-inch opening along one edge.            
7. Turn your design right side out.

finishing touches

1. Now add the finishing touches to the front of your pillow. We used ribbon to cover our stitches and added rhinestones for a little dazzle. Use fabric glue to attach decorations. Allow to dry.            
2. Fold the pillow form in half and gently place it inside your pillowcase design.            
3. Use a straight stitch to hand sew the 8- to 10-inch opening together.

Sweet dreams!